Accreditations and Affiliations

Regional Accreditation

Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Norfolk State University.

What is SARA?

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts.

United States Distance Learning Association

"The award of Certification status by the United States Distance Learning Association is a solid accomplishment for Norfolk State University’s Distance Education Programs, its faculty, and staff. All parties can take pride in their effort and in this recognition bestowed by a professional peer group. Norfolk State University and the School of Extended Learning will have continued success in the implementation of the University’s Distance Education programs. The United States Distance Learning Association stands ready to support the University, in any capacity, as it translates its future Distance Education plans into sustainable institutional change and improvement that will be essential to the on-going success of the University."

John G. Flores, Ph.D. Executive Director, USDLA

Learn more about United States Distance Education Learning Association.

Quality Matters

Norfolk State University is committed to implement the Quality Matters standards for the design of online and/or hybrid courses. We are systematically building and evaluating our courses based on these rigorous, research-based standards. The Quality Matters standards assure that the online components of these courses promote learner engagement and provide students will all the tools and information they need to be successful learners.